snake meat

[abbeytheferret6]

The guy that occasionally gives me squirrels, gave me a copperhead snake gutted and cleaned that his wife killed.  I do remember some time ago  a guy on forum killed and fed his ferrets a rattlesnake. Anyway, I cut more off  the head area and stuck it in the freezer today for 2 wks. Will report if they like or dislike in future. Kind of scary to feed a poisonous snake.

[katt]

I don't know, my understanding is that snake meat goes bad super fast (I always thought it didn't freeze well either?)?? I don't have much experience with snake meat though. bitbyter ?

[bitbyter]

I don't either but as long as the head is removed it should be fine meat wise. As for if they carry parasites that can be transmitted to your ferrets, I have no idea. Time to do some Googling.

[abbeytheferret6]

Unfortunately, Salmonella bacteria cannot be eliminated from the intestinal tract of reptiles. Administration of antibiotics to eliminate these bacteria has been unsuccessful and may result in emergence of Salmonella bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Attempt to raise or identify reptiles that do not carry Salmonella bacteria have also been unsuccessful; therefore, bacterial culture of stool samples in an attempt to identify reptiles that are not carrying Salmonella bacteria is not recommended.
www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=17+1796&aid=623



Generally, Salmonella poisoning occurs from consuming contaminated meat, eggs, cheese, raw vegetables, raw fruit, nuts, spices and unpasteurized foods. According to Food Safety, the only way to properly get rid of Salmonella is through heat. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends cooking all foods to the recommended temperatures to prevent Salmonella poisoning
www.reference.com/food/freezing-kill-salmonella-4adf6337e9e9d2ad


As far as freezing---

Refrigerate the carcass as soon as possible. It can also be frozen. The meat's integrity remains intact, and the coloration of the skin is unaffected.
www.wikihow.com/Cook-a-Snake




I think I may just chunk it

[Deleted]

Rikki-Tikki-Tavi

That's what I first thought of. Googled it - a ferret and a mongoose are about as closely related as a cat and a dog.

Hmmm - the more you know.